Attachment for vehicle springs



1,613,097 T. s. HAMILTON ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLE SPRINGS Filed August 4, 1924 Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

itl

THOMAS S. HAMILTON, OF LGSl ANGELES, CALFRNIA.

ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLE SPRINGS.

Application led August 4, 1924. Serial No. 730,101.

This invention relates to vehicle springs.

nu object ot the invention is the provision ot means tor controlling the rebound on a flexible spring.

ln a copending application tiled March 26, 1924, Serial No. 702,903, l have disclosed and claimed an attachment for vehicle springs consisting ot' a rubber insert adapted to be arranged over the end et each spring leat and retained in position by the next leaf above, the insert being provided with a central opening adapted to contain a body ot air which is compressed during the operation ot the spring.

ln actual practice, I have tound that on some types ot vehicles, this insert renders the springl too tlexible. Snubbers ot the ordinary type which tit between the chassis and the spring not satisfactory in atteziziiting to ore come this flexibility as the upward movement of the body of 'the vehicle has a tendency to pull the wheels ott the ground. Y

In the present invention, I provide an attachment consisting` ot an auxiliary leaf or blade ot compressed steel adapted to be arranged over the upper spring leaf and a compression strip surrounding the leaves. ot the spring and retaining said blade in position.

Vln the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment Yot 'the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation oit a lear" spring showing the invention applied,

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line 2 2 et Figure 1,

Figure is a vertical longitudinal sectional viewon line 3 3 of Figure 2` Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line ot Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the insert. and,

Figure G is a verticalV sectional view thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates the spring which consists oitl a plurality of leaves of the usual construction, the lower leat being the shortest, and the leaves increasing progressively in length. The central portion of the leaves 'are secured to each other by clips or bolts 2, which are adapted to be received in the axle 3 in the usual manner.

ln Figures 5 and (i ot the drawings-I have shown an insert i which is preferably attachments for circular in shape and provided with tapered upper and lower faces 5, forming a device that is ot greaterl 'thickness at the center than at its periphery. The insert is provided with a central opening G and the periphery may be provided with acoating 7 of suitable material to exclude moisture and oil. As stated, the insert per se forms no part ot the present invention and is the subject matter ot. my said copending application.

In the present invention, a straight plate 8 of compressed spring steel is arranged over the upper leat of the spring and an insert is arranged under each end of this plate. Intermediate the ends of the plate, a substantially U-shaped compression strap 9 is arranged over it to retain it in position. The strap is provided with depending` legs 10 arranged on each side ot the spring, and these legs are connected by a cross bar ll, which is secured to each leg by means ot a screw or cap bolt l2. rThe cross baris provided With a centrally threaded opening adapted to receive .a compression adjusting screw 13. A. cup 14 is arranged on the upper end of the adjusting screw and this cup is adapted to support an insertwhich is arranged between the cup and the lower leaf of the spring. A lock nut 15 is arranged on the adjusting screw.

The operation of the device will be apparent `from the `foregoing description. The inserts arranged above and below the spring give the vehicle the easy riding qualities desired, and the compression strap eliminates or controls the rebound, providing better traction. The device requires no lubrication and the compression can be adj usted by means of the adjusting screw It is to be understood that the 'lorm ot my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be re sorted to without departing trom the spirit ot the invention or the scope ot the `subjoined claims.

l claim:

1. An attachment for vehicle springs comprising a member adapted to be arranged over the upper leaf of the spring, cushioning members arranged between said member and said upper leaf, a substantiallv U-shaped compression strap engaging said member. and extending downwardly on each side ot said spring, and a member carried by said lll) strap and engaging the under side of said s bring.'

2. An attachment for Vehicle springs corn- 'prising a member adaptedV to be arranged over the upper leaf of the spring, cushioning members arranged between said member and said upper leaf, a Substantially UV shaped compression strap engaging said -nreinber and extending downwardly on each side o1 said spring, a cross bar connected to the depending portions of sind compresson -with claim 2 wherein a cup is arranged on the upper end of said adjusting screw and a ouslnoning member is arranged between saxd cup and said spring.

In teetirnony whereof, I affix my sig- 2" nature.

.PHOivIS S. HANHLTON. 

